From a mud hut in Nepal to the Dakota in Manhattan, and more

From a mud hut in Nepal to the Dakota in Manhattan

Indra Tamang, who grew up in a mud hut in rural Nepal, now owns two apartments at one of New York City’s best-known addresses, after the wealthy family he worked for bequeathed them to him. Tamang, 57, served for three decades as butler, cook, and caretaker for Ruth Ford, an actress who died last year at 98, and her brother, photographer Charles Henri Ford, who died in 2002. In addition to the apartments in Manhattan’s famed Dakota building, Ruth Ford left Tamang a collection of valuable Russian art. “I was always hearing about America,” said Tamang, who emigrated when he was in his 20s. “I took my chance and came.”

When your teammates are younger than your children

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First, Larry Hasenfus went back to school; then he went back to baseball. Out of work at age 58, Hasenfus enrolled at Springfield College in Massachusetts to improve his job prospects. But Hasenfus, who has stayed in shape over the years playing hockey, pursued a dream while burnishing his résumé. He joined the college’s junior varsity baseball team, where his teammates are younger than his own children. Although Hasenfus hadn’t played organized baseball since he was in high school, his knuckle ball won him a spot on the pitcher’s mound. “It was always a dream for me to play college sports,” he said.

Entrepreneur raises $250,000 for “tent city” homeless

Fifty residents of a “tent city” in New Jersey have new homes, thanks to a local entrepreneur. Amir Khan stepped forward after seeing a video of the homeless encampment in his native Camden. “How dare we live in the lap of luxury and have this in our backyard?” he said. With the state set to flatten the camp, Khan raised $250,000 to house its residents in nearby condominiums and apartments for a year. Before moving in, they were treated to a night in a luxury hotel, where they were given manicures and new clothes.